5.4 Release Notes

Released 17 Apr 2021

Release Highlights

Status	Description	Product
FEATURE	New Language - Māori	PLATFORM
FEATURE	New Visa Service - Timatic AutoCheck	CARE
FEATURE	Requests - Border Status Integration	CARE
Platform Administration
FEATURE	Custom Fields - Profiles	PLATFORM

New Language - Māori

Since Kudos' 5.0 Release, the platform has evolved to allow its use globally with various non-English languages including Japanese, Thai and French.

This release sees the addition of Māori, also known as te reo Māori or simply te reo (the language). It is the language of the Māori people of New Zealand. Since 1987, te reo Māori has been an official language in New Zealand, along with English and New Zealand Sign Language.

User Language Selector

A user can set their own language preference of Māori, if not already the default^~, via the Language switcher option located in the bottom right of the platform’s Dashboard.

^~Default locale (language) is defined by the agency’s Kudos Administration user(s) at the Agency or Travel Office profile (level). ⚠ If none is set, English (United Kingdom) will be used.

New Visa Service - Timatic AutoCheck

The 4.6 Release in January 2019, saw the introduction of our Visa Check widget.

This release sees the widget receive a major overall with a connection to a global rich database via our partnership with IATA - International Air Transport Association.

Who is IATA?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), is the trade association of the world’s international airline industry. From 57 founding members in 1945, IATA now represents some 290 airlines in 120 countries. Carrying 82% of the world’s air traffic, IATA members include the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines.

In a fast-changing aviation world, where privatization, alliances and increased competition are global realities, airlines still need to cooperate to offer a seamless product of the highest possible standard. Much of that cooperation is expressed through IATA, whose vision is “to be the force for value creation and innovation driving a safe, secure and profitable air transport industry that sustainably connects and enriches our world”.

IATA strives to ensure that people, freight and mail move around the global airline network as easily as if they were in a single country, and that member’s aircraft operate safely, securely, efficiently and economically under clearly defined and understood rules.

Used currently by 70+ airlines, IATA’s Timatic Autocheck allow the Visa Check widget to reach more corners of the globe and provide in-depth data.

Passport regulations & recommendations		Visa regulations & recommendations
Health regulations & recommendations		Currency regulations relating to import & export by a passenger

IATA’s Timatic Autocheck forms part of the goal to digitise elements to help with the overall Contactless Travel experience, including the Travel Pass.

Visa Check Widget

The Visa Check widget available on the dashboard is an option configurable by the agency for use by platform users, including travellers (TR) and travel arrangers (TA).

Selecting Details will provide greater details, including any Exemptions and Warnings that may apply, as shown in the following example.

Platform users with access to delegated travellers such as a travel arranger (TA) and travel account manager (TAM) will have a Select Traveller option.

This allows a delegated traveller to be searched before selecting the Check Visa Requirements, as shown in the following example.

Requests - Border Status Integration

Kudos' 5.2 Release saw another COVID-19 initiative added with the introduction of the Where can I travel? (Covid) widget.

This release sees the integration of the border status information integrated into the Requests workflow, similar to Government travel advice currently provided. With the inclusion of this additional information, the dialogue box now shown will include two (2) selectable tabs - Travel Advice and Border Status, as shown below.

Selecting Continue for the information presented will be considered to have accepted both the Travel Advice and Border Status, not just that of the active tab.

Disclaimer - Kudos Travel Technology aims to provide the most up-to-date country travel advice and COVID-19 travel & border restriction information. It can however change quickly. We rely on the information being supplied from the source (e.g. Smart Traveller, TripsGuard). Users should seek to confirm the information from official websites (e.g. government) and airlines before booking or travelling.

Platform Administration

Custom Fields - Profiles

Kudos' 5.2 Release provided the ability to add Profile custom labels for Employee Details fields of Department, Cost Centre and Location.

This release expands the capabilities of the Profile by allowing Custom Fields to be defined via the Company Setup Options in Kudos Administration.

The following are examples of a company’s Employee Details section with Custom Fields defined.

Data captured via the aforementioned Custom Fields will be stored in Profiles only. Inclusion of custom fields and the data held for System Integrations (e.g. GDS, OBT) is scheduled to be provided in a subsequent release.